President Bola Tinubu has signed the amended Electoral Act 2026 into law, establishing the framework for the 2027 general elections and reigniting discussions on electronic transmission of results.
The signing ceremony occurred on February 18, 2026, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, attended by principal officers of the National Assembly.
This development follows the National Assembly’s passage of the bill on Tuesday, after months of debates and amendments.
The amended act introduces key changes, including provisions for electronic transmission of election results to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IReV), while allowing manual records as a fallback in case of technical failures.
It also reschedules the 2027 elections to avoid overlapping with Ramadan, promoting inclusivity for Muslim voters. The legislation replaces the 2022 version, incorporating lessons from the 2023 elections to enhance transparency and efficiency.
The bill’s passage in the Senate was marked by a division vote, with opposition members advocating for stricter electronic mandates, but the majority prevailed.
“The signing ceremony occurred on February 18, 2026, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, following the Senate’s passage of the Electoral Act 2026.”
Critics argue the manual fallback could enable manipulation, while supporters highlight infrastructure challenges in remote areas.
The act is expected to strengthen INEC’s operations, with the commission already releasing the 2027 election timetable.
This reform aims to boost voter confidence and reduce disputes, setting the stage for a more credible electoral process in Nigeria.